Give Up Company Car and Job.....next car......???????

[PNN]

Morning all.

I posted a while ago asking for advice on a car after giving up a job and company car to start my own business. A big step but made bigger that I don't know much about cars.

I need something reliable that looks good when I turn up to see clients. I won't use it that often and will probably only do 10K a year. Looking to spend £3-£4K. I was looking towards BMW 3 series but icy roads this time of year puts me off a bit (country driving!). I have also considered a 9-3 which looks cheap for what you get, I discounted Mercs as this age seems a bit dubious over quality.

Any other ideas gratefully appreciated!

Thanks for help.

Mark.

[Spanna]

3.0 X-Type might fit the bill. AWD and a respectable looking car, available in saloon or estate.

Volvo S80 D5 if you'd prefer a diesel. Nice, comfortable, reliable cruiser.

[TwigtheWonderkid]

PNN said:

Morning all.

that looks good when I turn up to see clients.

Those days have gone. Clients don't care anymore. Lots of CEOs running around in Smart cars and low CO2 stuff to do their bit for carbon footprint. If you turn up on a pushbike but look the part and have the right deal, you'll get the business.

Just get something reliable and economic (keep initial business expenses as low as poss when starting up).

[PH lurker]

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3563064.htm ?

[HorneyMX5]

The MD of my place rolls round in a P reg Volvo estate and he gets a hefty car allowance. Doesn't even have a toy in the garage! (To be fair he does have an ex wife, a current wife and 3 kids).

I'm looking in a similar price band for a car to buy with my car allowance to I can pocket the rest for my projects and Porsche 911 fund and settled on getting an MG ZT 135+ Derv. Newish looking, reliable, smart, big enough to take clients out in, cheap to run, cheap to insure, cheap to tax, isn't an audi/bmw and can tow my track car on a trailer. Plain Rover 75 diesels are even cheaper but I think they look more dated than the MG varient and bit 'carpet slippers and pipe'.

Nick

[sparks_E39]

E39 530 Sport still looks modernish and smart enough, your budget will get a nice one.